Electrical wiring device with flexible terminal for eliminating connection to ground

ABSTRACT

An electrical wiring system providing selectable referencing to earth ground having a housing having a first terminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment to LOAD, and a flexible terminal having a first leg mounted to the electrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg via a flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first leg and the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position by flexing the flexible joint. The flexible joint being biased in the extended position, wherein the first leg defines a first aperture and the second leg defines a second aperture, and a load control circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a line input from the first terminal and a reference input. The reference input being referenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an electrical wiring device with aflexible terminal for eliminating connection to ground.

BACKGROUND

Standards governing the operation of load control circuits (e.g.,dimmers, switches, etc.) electric wiring devices prohibit currentintroduction on equipment grounding conductors during normal operation.In this context, the electrical wiring device must instead be connectedto the neutral wire. The standards, however, provide an exception forload control circuits installed in retrofit applications. Thus, underindustry standards, load control circuits can only draw current fromgrounding conductors in retrofit applications.

Providing separate electrical wiring devices for different applications(i.e., retrofit/non-retrofit) is cumbersome and inefficient, requiringconsumers to know beforehand which product to purchase and increasingthe required expertise and planning order to purchase the correctdevice. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a singleelectrical wiring device that permits selective contact with a groundcircuit, allowing a consumer to select between providing as a referencefor the load control circuit, an earth ground in retrofit applicationsor the neutral wire in non-retrofit applications.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various examples described in this disclosure can be combined in anytechnical way possible.

According to an aspect, an electrical wiring system providing selectablereferencing to earth ground, includes a housing comprising a firstterminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment toLOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to theelectrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg viaa flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first legand the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and aretracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible jointbeing biased in the extended position, wherein the first leg defines afirst aperture and the second leg defines a second aperture, a loadcontrol circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a line inputfrom the first terminal and a reference input, the reference input beingreferenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal; and ascrew having a screw head, the screw being inserted through the firstaperture and the second aperture, the screw, at least in part,maintaining the first leg and second leg in fixed relation.

In an example, the electrical wiring system further includes a pressureplate having a threaded aperture, the threaded aperture being engagedwith the threads of the screw, the pressure plate and the screw headbeing disposed on opposite sides of the flexible terminal such thatadvancing the pressure plate along the threads of the screw toward thehead of the screw draws the flexible terminal from the extended positiontoward the retracted position.

In an example, one of the first aperture or second aperture is threaded.

In an example, the electrical wiring system further includes a groundingcircuit.

In an example, the flexible terminal is positioned with respect to thegrounding circuit such that adjusting the relative distance between thefirst leg and second leg away from the retracted position establishescontact between the grounding circuit and the second leg when theelectrical wiring device is installed in a wall box.

In an example, the flexible terminal is positioned with respect to thegrounding circuit such that adjusting the relative distance between thefirst leg and second leg toward the retracted position establishescontact between the grounding circuit and the second leg when theelectrical wiring device is installed in a wall box.

In an example, the grounding circuit comprises one of a grounded frameor the wall box.

In an example, the grounding circuit comprises a ground wire.

In an example, the first leg is mounted to a PCB upon which the loadcontrol circuit is disposed.

In an example, the electrical wiring system further includes a terminalfor attachment to neutral.

According to another aspect, an electrical wiring device providingselectable referencing to earth ground, includes a housing comprising afirst terminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachmentto LOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to theelectrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg viaa flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first legand the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and aretracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible jointbeing biased in the extended position, wherein the second leg defines anopening dimensioned to receive a conductor of a neutral wire such that aforce applied through insertion of the neutral wire presses the flexibleterminal through a predetermined path toward the retracted position; anda load control circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a lineinput from the first terminal and a reference input, the reference inputbeing referenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal.

In an example, the opening is a slotted opening.

In an example, the slotted opening is defined by a first interiorsurface of a first arm of the second leg and by a second interiorsurface of a second arm of the second leg, the first arm and second armeach twisting such that, at a free end of the second leg, the firstinterior surface and the second interior surface face outward withrespect to the housing, wherein the force applied through insertion ofthe neutral wire causes the slot to narrow such that the first interiorsurface and the second interior surface grasp a surface of the conductorof the neutral wire.

In an example, the electrical wiring device further includes a retaininglip arranged in the predetermined path of the second leg, the retaininglip comprising a ramped forward surface such that the distal end of thesecond leg is drawn across the ramped surface of the retaining lip as itprogresses through the predetermined path and being captured behind arear surface of the retaining lip, preventing the second leg fromreturning to the extended position.

According to another aspect, a method for selecting an electricalreference of an electrical wiring device, includes the steps of:adjusting a relative distance between a first leg and a second leg of aflexible terminal, the first leg and second leg being joined by aflexible joint, so as to isolate the second leg from a grounding circuitwhen the electrical wiring device is installed in a wall box, wherein aload control circuit disposed within a housing of the electrical wiringdevice is electrically referenced to an electric potential of theflexible terminal; and establishing contact between a neutral wire andthe flexible terminal such that the load control circuit is electricallyreferenced to the neutral wire.

In an example, the method further includes adjusting the relativedistance so as to isolate the second leg from the grounding circuitcomprises increasing the relative distance between the first leg and thesecond leg.

In an example, the method further includes adjusting the relativedistance so as to isolate the second leg from the grounding circuitcomprises decreasing the relative distance between the first leg and thesecond leg.

In an example, the relative distance is maintained in fixed relation viaa fastener.

In an example, the fastener is one of a screw, a clamp, or a sleeve.

In an example, the fastener comprises a screw and a pressure plate, thescrew being inserted through a first aperture in the first leg and asecond aperture in the second leg.

In an example, a head of the screw and the pressure plate are disposedon opposing sides of the flexible terminal.

In an example, the relative distance between the first leg and secondleg is maintained in fixed relation through retaining the second legagainst a retaining lip.

In an example, an electrical wiring device permitting selectivereference to earth ground includes: a flexible terminal comprising afirst leg and second leg being joined by a flexible joint such that arelative distance between the first leg and the second leg is adjustableto permit selective isolation from or contact with a grounding circuitwhen the electrical wiring device is installed in a wall box; and a loadcontrol circuit disposed within a housing of the electrical wiringdevice, the load control circuit electrically referenced to an electricpotential of the flexible terminal.

In an example, the relative distance is maintained in fixed relation viaa fastener.

In an example, the fastener is one of a screw, a clamp, or a sleeve.

In an example, the fastener comprises a screw and a pressure plate, thescrew being inserted through a first aperture in the first leg and asecond aperture in the second leg.

In an example, the neutral wire is grasped between the flexible terminaland the pressure plate.

In an example, a head of the screw and the pressure plate are disposedon opposing sides of the flexible terminal.

In an example, the fastener comprises a screw, the screw being insertedthrough a first aperture in the first leg and a second aperture in thesecond leg.

In an example, the flexible terminal comprises a slot within which theneutral wire can be received.

In an example, the electrical wiring device further includes a retaininglip, wherein the relative distance between the first leg and second legis maintained in fixed relation through retaining the second leg againsta retaining lip.

In an example, the flexible terminal is biased in an extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated byreading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, according toan example.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal and a printedcircuit board, according to an example.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a housing and a flexible terminal,according to an example.

FIG. 4A depicts a side view of a flexible terminal, a printed circuitboard, and a grounded frame, according to an example.

FIG. 4B depicts a side view of a flexible terminal, a printed circuitboard, a grounded frame, and a neutral wire, according to an example.

FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a printedcircuit board, and a grounded frame, according to an example.

FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a printedcircuit board, a neutral wire, and a grounded frame, according to anexample.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of flexible terminal, according to anexample.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a housing, anda printed circuit board, according to an example.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal and a printedcircuit board, according to an example.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a printedcircuit board, a neutral wire, and a frame, according to an example.

FIG. 10 depicts a schematic view of a load control circuit, according toan example.

FIG. 11A depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, and ahousing, according to an example.

FIG. 11B depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a housing, aneutral wire, a grounded frame, according to an example.

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of a flexible terminal and a grounded frame,according to an example.

FIG. 13A depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a housing, aneutral wire, and a grounded frame, according to an example.

FIG. 13B depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal, a housing,and a grounded frame, according to an example.

FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal and a neutralwire, according to an example.

FIG. 14B depicts a perspective view of a flexible terminal and a neutralwire, according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures there is shown in FIG. 1 a flexible terminal100 that can be disposed on an electrical wiring device, permittingselective contact with a ground circuit in retrofit applications, and,conversely, selective removal of contact with a ground circuit innon-retrofit applications. By selectively contacting the flexibleterminal 100 with a ground circuit, the installer of the electricalwiring device can thus elect to electrically reference the electricalwiring device to ground circuit in retrofit applications. Furthermore,flexible terminal 100 permits selective contact with a neutral wire. Inthis manner, flexible terminal 100 functions as a single-poledouble-throw switch permitting the user to optionally select whether toreference the load control circuit to earth ground to the neutral wire.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible terminal 100 comprises a first leg 102and a second leg 104. As FIG. 2 shows, first leg 102 can be seated inthe PCB 106 via, e.g., through-hole mounting (although any suitablemounting may be used), and can be in electrical communication with aload control circuit (e.g., a dimmer) disposed on the PCB 106, so as toprovide a voltage reference (by either the connected ground circuit orthe neutral wire) to the load control circuit. The second leg 104extends from and is connected to the first leg 102 by way of a flexiblejoint 108, such that the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 can bedrawn toward one another in a retracted position or away from oneanother in an extended position. In one example, such as shown in FIG.4B discussed below, the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 can bedrawn together such that they are in mutual contact. The ability toadjust the extension of the second leg 104 by flexing the flexible joint108 permits the selective contact with the ground circuit.

As shown in FIG. 3, second leg 104 extends away from a housing 110 ofthe electrical wiring device in which PCB 106 is disposed. Wheninstalled in conjunction with a wall box and/or frame, second leg 104can extend away from the housing 110 so as to contact a ground circuit(such as a grounding wire or a grounding frame) or be drawn toward thehousing such that the second leg 104 ceases to contact the groundcircuit. It should be understood that, in various alternative examples,first leg 102 need not be mounted to PCB 106, but rather can be mountedto housing 110 or any structure disposed within housing 110. In thesealternative examples, the circuit disposed on PCB 106 is still inelectrical communication with and referenced to the electric potentialof the first leg.

As described above, the relative distance between the first leg 102 andthe second leg 104, and, consequently, the position of the second leg104 with respect to the electrical wiring device (and the housing 110)can be adjusted by flexing the flexible joint 108. FIG. 4A depictsflexible terminal 100 as mounted on PCB 106 (with the housing 110 notshown) in contact with a ground circuit (in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thegrounded frame 112) and FIG. 4B depicts flexible terminal 100 not incontact with a ground circuit. More particularly, FIG. 4A depicts theflexible terminal 100 in a position extended toward the extendedposition such that second leg 104 is in electrical contact with groundedframe 112, thereby referencing the load control circuit to earth ground.In the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 4B, the flexible terminal100 is retracted toward PCB 106 thus isolating flexible terminal 100from electrical contact with the grounded frame 112 and removinggrounded frame 112 as the electrical reference. In its place, theneutral wire in the wall box is placed in electrical contact with firstleg 102, thus referencing the load control circuit to the neutral wire.Thus, if a neutral wire 114 is available (e.g., during installationsother than retrofitting a two-wire load control), the flexible terminal100 is retracted from the ground circuit and placed in contact with theneutral wire; whereas, if a neutral wire is not available (e.g.,retrofitting a two-wire load control) the flexible terminal 100 isplaced in contact with the grounding circuit.

It should be understood that the retracted position refers to theposition of maximum retraction, that is the position in which second leg104 is drawn nearest to first leg 102. In some examples, in theretracted position, second leg 104 will be in contact with first leg102, although this is not true of all examples. Furthermore, theextended position refers to the natural position of extension as enactedby the bias of flexible terminal 100. It should be understood that arange of positions exist between the retracted position and extendedposition.

As will be described in more detail below, the relative distance betweenthe first leg 102 and second 104 can be maintained in fixed relationthrough a fastener or retaining lip. This permits retaining of theflexible terminal, after installation, in contact with the groundingcircuit, or, alternately, isolated from the grounding circuit. Invarious examples described throughout this disclosure, a fastener canbe, for example, a screw (with or without a pressure plate), a clamp, ora sleeve. Similarly, a retaining lip can be any surface within orwithout the housing 110 positioned to abut and restrain movement ofsecond leg 104.

One such example of a fastener is shown in FIGS. 4A-4B as thecombination of a pressure plate 116 and a screw 118 extending through afirst aperture 122 in the first leg 102 and a second aperture 124 in thesecond leg 104. The pressure plate 116 and screw head 120 may bedisposed on opposite sides of the flexible terminal 100 in order toimpart the mechanical force on the flexible terminal 100. In otherwords, in an example, the screw 118 is inserted through the firstaperture 122 and the second aperture 124 such that the screw head 120 isdisposed at an outer surface of the second leg 104, whereas the pressureplate 116, which comprises a threaded aperture to receive the screw 118,can be disposed at the outer surface of the first leg 102. (In analternative example, pressure plate 116 can be disposed at an outersurface of the second leg 104 and screw head 120 may be disposed at anouter surface of the first leg 102.) As shown in FIG. 4A, when the screw118 and pressure plate 116 are apart (i.e., the pressure plate 116 isnot advanced as far along the threads of the screw 118 toward screw head120), the flexible terminal 100 is permitted to extend, according to thebias, toward or into the extended position such that it contactsgrounded frame 112. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 4B when the screw 118and pressure plate 116 are drawn together by advancing the pressureplate 116 along the threads of screw 118 toward screw head 120, secondleg is retracted toward or into the retracted position, isolatingflexible terminal 100 from contact with grounded frame 112. Screw 118and pressure plate 116 thus function to maintain the first leg 102 andsecond leg 104 in fixed relation, and, more specifically, in a positionwhich either contacts the grounding circuit or isolates the flexibleterminal 100 from the grounding circuit.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, neutral wire 114 can be brought intoelectrical contact with flexible terminal by grasping neutral wire 114between pressure plate 116 and first leg 102. Thus, in the example ofFIG. 4B, where the electrical wiring device is installed in non-retrofitapplications, neutral wire 114 and pressure plate 116 can be used toclamp neutral wire 114 against first leg 102, thus referencing the loadcontrol circuit to the neutral wire 114 rather than grounded frame 112.It should, however, be understood that, in alternative examples, neutralwire 114 can be placed in electrical contact with flexible terminal 100in other ways. For example, neutral wire 114 can be positioned so thatsecond leg 104 contacts it when being drawing into or toward theretracted position. In yet another example, electrical wiring device caninclude a dedicated neutral terminal, separate from flexible terminal100, that can receive neutral wire when one is available. In thisexample, two terminals are provided, one for selectively contactinggrounded frame 112 and the other for attachment of a neutral wire 114.

For the purposes of this disclosure, a screw is any threaded fastenerwith which the threaded aperture of pressure plate 116 can engage and beused to adjust the position of the second leg 104 with the first leg102. It should further be understood that the mechanical force to eitherplace the flexible terminal 100 in the retracted position or in theextended position may be implemented by any suitable fastener. Forexample, in an alternative example, as mentioned above, the mechanicalforce to draw the flexible terminal 100 into the retracted positionedposition can be implemented by a clamp or sleeve, rather than a screw118 and pressure plate 116.

Furthermore, in alternative examples, the flexible terminal 100 can bebiased in the retracted position and may be drawn apart by a separatorrather than a screw 118 and pressure plate 116. (In this example, thereis no “extended position” as defined by the natural extension offlexible terminal 100 as enacted by a bias; rather the separatorfunctions to extend the second leg away from the retracted position.) Inone example, the separator can be implemented by a pressure plate, whichis disposed between the first leg 102 and second leg 104, such thatadvancing the pressure plate along the threads away from the screw head120 separates the first leg 102 and second leg 104.

The example described in connection with FIGS. 4A and 4B depict flexibleterminal contacting grounded frame 112. This frame and the supportingstructure is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 10,103,530 B2,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Groundedframe 112, however, is only one example of a grounding circuit whichflexible terminal 100 can contact. In other examples, as mentionedabove, grounding circuit can be a grounding wire or other any groundedstructure. In some examples, the grounding circuit can be part of astructure, such as grounded frame, that is sold or otherwise provided aspart of an enclosure for the wiring device (e.g., a grounded wall box).

Furthermore, in alternative examples, the grounding circuit can bepositioned with respect to the second leg 106 such that second leg isbrought into contact with grounding circuit by retracting the second leg106 toward or into the retracted position and out of contact with thegrounding position by extending the second leg 104 toward or into theextended position (or beyond the extended position in the example inwhich a separator is used).

As shown in FIG. 4B, flexible terminal 100 can be shaped to permit theopposing surfaces disposed about first aperture 120 and second aperture124 to be in mutual contact without stressing the flexible joint 108.This can be provided by fashioning the second leg 104 as, such that, inthe retracted position, the second leg 104 features a lower portion thatextends toward the first leg 102 from the flexible joint 108. Thisportion of the second leg 104 can take a variety of forms. For example,in FIG. 4A-4B, this lower portion of the second leg extends in asubstantially straight length from arc of the flexible joint toward thefirst leg 102; whereas in FIG. 5 this lower portion forms a smooth arcfrom the flexible joint 108 toward the first leg 102.

FIGS. 6-9 depict alternative examples of flexible terminal 100. FIGS.6-7 depicts an alternative flexible terminal 100, in which the lowerportion of second leg 104 is not arced toward first leg 102, but ratheris planar, such that, in the extended position the first leg 102 and thesecond leg 104 are parallel with each other.

In the example of FIGS. 8-9 flexible terminal 100 includes a slot 126located within the flexible joint 108 permitting the insertion andgrasping of neutral wire 114 for when the second leg is disconnectedfrom the grounding circuit in non-retrofit applications. Furthermore,the example of FIGS. 8-9 omits the pressure plate, and instead employsthreading of the first aperture to permit the screw, through advancementalong the threads, to draw the flexible terminal into the retractedposition or, conversely, to permit it to open into the extendedposition. The threading of the first aperture, together with screw 118,in this example, functions to maintain a fixed relation between firstleg 102 and second leg 104.

FIG. 10 depicts an example load control circuit 1000—a 2-wiredimmer—which can alternately be referenced to earth ground or neutral,depending on the context. HOT can be connected to T3 (labeled LINE/LOAD)and load can be connected to T1 or T2; alternatively, HOT can beconnected to T1/T2 and load can be connected to T3. As described above,ground is either the neutral wire in normal contexts, or the connectedgrounding circuit in retrofit applications. In this example, ground 1002is used to draw less than 0.5 mA to power the microcontroller in thedead times of the output waveform, i.e., when the load is not drawingpower.

It should be understood that the circuit of FIG. 10 is only one exampleand that load control circuit disposed on the PCB may be any suitableload control circuit. Furthermore, it should be understood that theflexible terminal 100 may be used in connection with other types ofcircuits besides load control circuits (e.g., GFCI circuits, switches,dimmers, lighting controls). Indeed, the flexible terminal may be usedin connection with any type of circuit for which it is advantageous toselectively contact one of two (or more) reference points.

FIGS. 11-14 show an alternative example of flexible terminal 100, whichincludes an aperture 128 dimensioned to receive the conductive portionof the neutral wire 114. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11A, flexibleterminal 100 is biased in an extended position, a portion of the secondleg 104 extending from the housing such that it contacts the groundingcircuit (here, grounded frame 112). To isolate flexible terminal 100from contact with the grounding circuit, as shown in FIG. 11B (inperspective view) and FIG. 12 (in side view, without housing 110 shown),the conductive portion of the neutral wire 114 is inserted through andcontacts the inner surface of the aperture 130. Because the aperture 130is only dimensioned to receive the conductor of neutral wire 114—thatis, its width is greater than the diameter of the conductor but lessthan the diameter of the insulation—continuing to press the neutral wiretoward the interior of the housing will press the second leg 104 towardthe retracted position, simultaneously breaking contact with thegrounded frame 112 and establishing contact with the neutral wire 114.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a retaining lip 132 can bedisposed within the housing 110. The retaining lip 132 is positioned inthe path of the free end 138 of the second leg 104. The retaining lip132 can include a ramped forward surface 133, which free end 138 of thesecond leg 104 is drawn across as it moves toward the retractedposition. Once the free end 138 of the second leg moves beyond theretaining lip 132, it is prevented from returning toward the extendedposition, where it would again contact the grounding circuit, by theflat rear surface 135 of the retaining lip 132. As a result, theflexible terminal 100 is prevented from assuming contact with thegrounding circuit. (It should be understood that retaining lip 123 canassume any shape and be positioned any location suitable for (at theuser's selection) abutting and restraining second leg 104, and,consequently terminal 100, from contacting the grounding circuit.

While, in various examples, the aperture can assume any suitable shapefor establishing contact with the neutral wire 114, as shown in FIGS.11-14 aperture 130 can be formed by a slot between arms 132 and 134formed in second leg 104. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B (in whichhousing 110 and grounded frame 112 are not shown for the purpose ofclarity), arms 132 and 134 twist outward from the fixed end 136 ofsecond leg 104 toward the free end 138, such that the interior surfaces140 and 142 of the two arms 132 and 134, respectively, face outward withrespect to the housing 110 at the free end 138 of the second leg 104.For the purposes of this disclosure, the fixed end 136 refers to the endof arms 132 and 134 that is fixed to the flexible joint 108 or to theremainder of the second leg 104, and the free end refers to the end ofarms 132 and 134 opposite the fixed end 136.

As the neutral wire 114 presses the second leg 104 toward the retractedposition, the arms 132 and 134 untwist due to the force of the neutralwire on interior surfaces 140 and 142, drawing interior surfaces 140 and142 inward with respect to the housing and narrowing slotted aperture130. As a result of the narrowing of the slot, the interior surfaces 140and 142 of the first arm 132 and second arm 134 grasp the neutral wire.Thus, when implemented with the retaining lip 132, the effect is thatthe neutral wire is inserted into the slotted aperture 130 and used topress the second arm behind the retaining lip 132, locking the secondleg 104 in a position toward the retracted position and firmly graspingthe neutral wire such that it does not easily come loose afterinstallation.

In an alternative example, second leg 104 can be implemented without anaperture for receiving the neutral wire 114, and simply be manuallypressed behind retaining lip 132 for retaining the second arm toward theretracted position where the second arm 104 will not contact thegrounding circuit.

It should be understood that the slotted aperture 130 of FIGS. 11-14 isonly one type of aperture that can be defined in second arm 104. Inalternative examples, the aperture 130 can be circular or any othersuitable shape for receiving the neutral wire. Furthermore, the twistingof the arms 132 and 134 of second leg 104 function to grasp the neutralas they are turned inward and effect a narrowing of the slot; however,other methods of grasping or otherwise retaining the neutral wire can beimplemented.

It should be understood that, because the example of FIGS. 1-9 and 11-14depict a unitary flexible terminal 100, the lines that distinguish firstleg 102, flexible joint 108, and second leg 104 from each can vary. Itis not necessary that the structures of these sections be perfectlydefined. Indeed, as can be seen in FIGS. 1-9 and 11-14 the relativeshapes of the first leg 102, second leg 104, and flexible joint 108 canvary between examples. Rather, what is required by these descriptionsare two portions that can be drawn toward or away from each other byflexible a portion that connects them, the first portion being mountedto the electrical wiring device and the second portion that can beselectively contacted to the grounding circuit by flexing the flexibleportion.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about” and “substantially”, are not to be limited tothe precise value specified. In at least some instances, theapproximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrumentfor measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification andclaims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged; suchranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained thereinunless context or language indicates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serveas a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminateembodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on thescope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There isno intention to limit the invention to the specific form or formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical wiring system providing selectablereferencing to earth ground, comprising: a housing comprising a firstterminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment toLOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to theelectrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg viaa flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first legand the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and aretracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible jointbeing biased in the extended position, wherein the first leg defines afirst aperture and the second leg defines a second aperture, a loadcontrol circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a line inputfrom the first terminal and a reference input, the reference input beingreferenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal; and ascrew having a screw head, the screw being inserted through the firstaperture and the second aperture, the screw, at least in part,maintaining the first leg and second leg in fixed relation.
 2. Theelectrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure platehaving a threaded aperture, the threaded aperture being engaged with thethreads of the screw, the pressure plate and the screw head beingdisposed on opposite sides of the flexible terminal such that advancingthe pressure plate along the threads of the screw toward the head of thescrew draws the flexible terminal from the extended position toward theretracted position.
 3. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, whereinone of the first aperture or second aperture is threaded.
 4. Theelectrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a groundingcircuit.
 5. The electrical wiring system of claim 4, wherein theflexible terminal is positioned with respect to the grounding circuitsuch that adjusting the relative distance between the first leg andsecond leg away from the retracted position establishes contact betweenthe grounding circuit and the second leg when the electrical wiringdevice is installed in a wall box.
 6. The electrical wiring system ofclaim 4, wherein the flexible terminal is positioned with respect to thegrounding circuit such that adjusting the relative distance between thefirst leg and second leg toward the retracted position establishescontact between the grounding circuit and the second leg when theelectrical wiring device is installed in a wall box.
 7. The electricalsystem of claim 4, wherein the grounding circuit comprises one of agrounded frame or the wall box.
 8. The electrical system of claim 4,wherein the grounding circuit comprises a ground wire.
 9. The electricalwiring system of claim 1, wherein the first leg is mounted to a PCB uponwhich the load control circuit is disposed.
 10. The electrical wiringsystem of claim 1, further comprising a terminal for attachment toneutral.
 11. An electrical wiring device providing selectablereferencing to earth ground, comprising: a housing comprising a firstterminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment toLOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to theelectrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg viaa flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first legand the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and aretracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible jointbeing biased in the extended position, wherein the second leg defines anopening dimensioned to receive a conductor of a neutral wire such that aforce applied through insertion of the neutral wire presses the flexibleterminal through a predetermined path toward the retracted position; anda load control circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a lineinput from the first terminal and a reference input, the reference inputbeing referenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal. 12.The electrical wiring device of claim 11, wherein the opening is aslotted opening.
 13. The electrical wiring device of claim 12, whereinthe slotted opening is defined by a first interior surface of a firstarm of the second leg and by a second interior surface of a second armof the second leg, the first arm and second arm each twisting such that,at a free end of the second leg, the first interior surface and thesecond interior surface face outward with respect to the housing,wherein the force applied through insertion of the neutral wire causesthe slot to narrow such that the first interior surface and the secondinterior surface grasp a surface of the conductor of the neutral wire.14. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, further comprising aretaining lip arranged in the predetermined path of the second leg, theretaining lip comprising a ramped forward surface such that the distalend of the second leg is drawn across the ramped surface of theretaining lip as it progresses through the predetermined path and beingcaptured behind a rear surface of the retaining lip, preventing thesecond leg from returning to the extended position.
 15. A method forselecting an electrical reference of an electrical wiring device,comprising the steps of: adjusting a relative distance between a firstleg and a second leg of a flexible terminal, the first leg and secondleg being joined by a flexible joint, so as to isolate the second legfrom a grounding circuit when the electrical wiring device is installedin a wall box, wherein a load control circuit disposed within a housingof the electrical wiring device is electrically referenced to anelectric potential of the flexible terminal; and establishing contactbetween a neutral wire and the flexible terminal such that the loadcontrol circuit is electrically referenced to the neutral wire.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein adjusting the relative distance so as toisolate the second leg from the grounding circuit comprises increasingthe relative distance between the first leg and the second leg.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein adjusting the relative distance so as toisolate the second leg from the grounding circuit comprises decreasingthe relative distance between the first leg and the second leg.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the relative distance is maintained in fixedrelation via a fastener.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thefastener is one of a screw, a clamp, or a sleeve.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein a head of the screw and the pressure plate aredisposed on opposing sides of the flexible terminal.
 21. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the fastener comprises a screw and a pressure plate,the screw being inserted through a first aperture in the first leg and asecond aperture in the second leg.
 22. The method of claim 15, whereinthe relative distance between the first leg and second leg is maintainedin fixed relation through retaining the second leg against a retaininglip.
 23. An electrical wiring device permitting selective reference toearth ground comprising: a flexible terminal comprising a first leg andsecond leg being joined by a flexible joint such that a relativedistance between the first leg and the second leg is adjustable topermit selective isolation from or contact with a grounding circuit whenthe electrical wiring device is installed in a wall box; and a loadcontrol circuit disposed within a housing of the electrical wiringdevice, the load control circuit electrically referenced to an electricpotential of the flexible terminal.
 24. The electrical wiring device ofclaim 23, wherein the relative distance is maintained in fixed relationvia a fastener.
 25. The electrical wiring device of claim 24, whereinthe fastener is one of a screw, a clamp, or a sleeve.
 26. The electricalwiring device of claim 25, wherein the fastener comprises a screw and apressure plate, the screw being inserted through a first aperture in thefirst leg and a second aperture in the second leg.
 27. The electricalwiring device of claim 26, wherein the neutral wire is grasped betweenthe flexible terminal and the pressure plate.
 28. The electrical wiringdevice of claim 26, wherein a head of the screw and the pressure plateare disposed on opposing sides of the flexible terminal.
 29. Theelectrical wiring device of claim 25, wherein the fastener comprises ascrew, the screw being inserted through a first aperture in the firstleg and a second aperture in the second leg.
 30. The electrical wiringdevice of claim 23, wherein the flexible terminal comprises a slotwithin which the neutral wire can be received.
 31. The electrical wiringdevice of claim 23, further comprising a retaining lip, wherein therelative distance between the first leg and second leg is maintained infixed relation through retaining the second leg against a retaining lip.32. The electrical wiring device of claim 23, wherein the flexibleterminal is biased in an extended position.